Abstract
Usually, different mechanical, chemical or biological causes of piping development have been described, particularly those related to the hydraulic gradients and the presence of sodium into the soil. The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the topographic characteristicsof both the pipes and the agricultural plots where they appear, and to estimate the volume of sediment yield. Eight different zones, located in the Mula River basin, were studied. The slopes were terraced for cultivation and abandoned 30-40 years ago. 137 plots were selected for sampling, 71% of which showed piping processes. The results obtained show a concentration of pipes in certain areas. There is a high correlation between the volume of soil loss and the extent of piping; between the area affected by piping and the average length, depth and width of pipes; between the size of the plot and the degree of piping development; between the height of the terrace walls and the maximum depth of pipes; and, finally, between gradients and piping intensity. If topographic factors favour the presence of pipes, some plot levelling recommendations could be defined in order to minimize the risk of piping processes in the most susceptible areas.
Highlights
Eight different zones, located in the Mula River basin, were studied
If topographic factors favour the presence of pipes, some plot levelling recommendations could be defined in order to minimize the risk of piping processes in the most susceptible areas
Todas las zonas se caracterizan por ser campos de cultivo abandonados ubicados en las vaguadas de los badlands y que descienden hacia el río Mula
Summary
Los procesos de erosión subsuperficial (piping o erosión en túnel) se han identificado en numerosas regiones del mundo, pero en particular tienen una gran presencia en medios semiáridos (Bryan y Jones, 1997), como es el caso de la Región de Murcia. Uno de los lugares más importantes por el desarrollo del piping se sitúa en la Cuenca de Mula, y en él se han seleccionado varias áreas que han sido objeto de un minucioso estudio tanto de las propiedades físico-químicas de sus suelos a distintas profundidades, como de las características morfológicas de las áreas en donde se encuentran. Este trabajo tiene como principal objetivo el análisis de las características topográficas de las áreas en donde se localizan los pipes, su posible relación con la aparición o desarrollo y las pérdidas de suelo que estos procesos producen
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